On behalf of Base Command, let us officially welcome you to Amancane Base, the West Virginia chapter of the Rebel Legion

Whether you are a seasoned costumer, cosplayer, or someone just starting out, this thread is a great place to start. In short, the Rebel Legion members create and wear costumes of the hero characters from the Star Wars saga in order to not only promote our love of a galaxy far far away, but also to support local charity and community events.

Creating an Account
If you have not already, you will want to create an account in order to be able to post & eventually access forums in full. To do this - click on the Register up above and then follow the directions in order to create an account. When you create your account, please be sure to use an email that you check at least once a week or more. If Base Command needs to reach out to you about a change in an event, having an active email will help us ensure that you get the latest information. Second, make sure to include your name in the signature box at the bottom of the registration page. Not only does it tell us who is making the post, but this is a good place for us to know who you are by name.

Introducing Yourself
Once you've created an account, head back here to the Amancane Base forum and make your first post on Recruits - Introduce Yourself Here. It will be here that we can direct you on your costuming adventure. Whether you aspire to become a stoic Jedi Knight, a brave Rebel Trooper, or even Freedom Fighting Royalty - our members can help show you the way.

When you have decided upon a path we can provide you with both contacts and online resources to help you create a screen accurate costume. There are also build parties that you can attend as a recruit in order to learn how to create and craft your costume. Something to understand going into this - building a costume is not a fast, easy, or even cheap endeavor. Legion members aspire to screen accuracy for all their costuming - from boots & belts to lightsabers, the standard for creating a costume can seem daunting. However, do not get discouraged as all of us started out by just looking at a sewing pattern and wondering what the heck to do! Base Command and our members are willing to share knowledge and experience in order to help make your vision real.

Tracking your Progress
Once you have a path to follow for your costume - make your way to the main Rebel Legion forum and click on the forum that fits your costume. If you are unsure, ask and Base Command can point you to the right one. Once there, go through any Announcement or Sticky notes to see if they have any special directions for new recruits. Then you will want to open up a Work in Progress thread (WIP for short).

For example - If you were thinking of making a Rebel Trooper then you would want to go to the Rebel Alliance Infantry Detachment. After reading the notes and announcements - you would click on NEW TOPIC and in the subject put the following:

<YOUR FORUM NAME>'s Rebel Trooper WIP

From there you can introduce yourself and begin posting your progress and ask any questions you may have about the costume. You will also want to include any photos of your work so others can see how you are progressing. If you haven't already - open up an account with either Flikr or Imgur as these are free photo sharing resources. If you need help creating an account let someone in Base Command know and we can walk you through the process. WIPs are great to not only record your progress, but others can help lend advice on problems they have had with their own costumes during their builds. With a WIP, your peers as well as your local Detachment Leaders can see what has been done and what still needs to be done in order to call a costume ready for the application process. Communication is key as our goal is to help you achieve that approval to become a full member of the Rebel Legion.

While you are Creating
In the interim, there are activities that you can participate in as a Recruit while you are still creating your costume.

Support Staff
The first (and one of the most invaluable) is to join us at our events as Support Staff. Support Staff, also known as Squires, are those who help oversee the wellbeing of our costumed characters by reminding us to hydrate or take a break, act as photographer for fans, or even act as a set of eyes for those characters whose vision is limited in their costume. You can find out more information about Support Staff and their responsibilities and duties at en event from Base Command. Reach when you are ready to get more involved and information about upcoming events can be provided.

Meet & Greets
Another activity is joining us at club sponsored Meet & Greets. These are a great summer time social event where you can meet not only your fellow Base members & officers but also members from the other Star Wars organizations like the 501st Garrison Corellia, and the Black Mountain Squadron of the Mandalorian Mercs. Some of Amancane Base have memberships in one or more of the other clubs so don't be afraid to see what else is out there.

Build Parties
During the winter, our influx of events slows down because of Hoth like weather. This allows us to take the time to update, repair or create new costumes. While you can build a costume on your own any time, doing so in the company of your fellow base members is also a fun way to learn and build friendships. These will be posted on the forums so be sure to check here often to get involved in one of these.

While it is a journey to create your first costume, know that you aren't alone. Your fellow members and Base Command all look forward to seeing what you create and bring into the light. Remember, it's the spark of imagination that can light the spark of Rebellion - are you ready to heed the call?

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